How does the FIS NEXRAD product differ from airborne radar?
NEXRAD or Next Generation Radar, is a ground-based network of over 150 WSR-88D Doppler Weather Radars operated by the government (primarily the National Weather Service) throughout United States. The radars are designed specifically to detect precipitation and the speed of movement out to about 124 nm from the radar site. Data is provided at approximately 4 to 6 minute intervals. The Bendix/King FIS system currently provides the NEXRAD Base Reflectivity product from the family of NEXRAD radar products available. The Base Reflectivity product is derived from the initial scan of a NEXRAD radar site. The elevation angle used for this scan is roughly 0.5 degrees, while the width of the radar beam is approximately 1 degree. This means that the NEXRAD site provides radar returns only for a narrow beam out to about 124 nm from the site. Overlapping coverage exists to provide returns directly over the radar site. If overlapping coverage is unavailable, weather directly over the site, or well a
